Q: Most of the Imams (the one who leads congregational Prayer) and shaykhs of Masjids (mosques) have agreed that Du`a' (supplication) in the marriage contract or when naming a child should be made by Salat-ul-Fatih (Remembrance from the Tijaniyyah order), which says: "O Allah! Send Your blessings on Muhammad Al-Fatih (the Opener) of what is closed, the Seal of what preceded him..." What is the ruling on this?

A: Salat-ul-Fatih has no origin in Shari`ah (Islamic law); and what has no origin in Shari`ah is regarded as Bid`ah (innovation in religion), because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, it is to be rejected." Also, this Salah includes words which exceed the proper limits regarding the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Maryam (Mary)." According to the Ijma` (consensus of scholars), it is permissible to send peace and blessings on the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the wording that is known and mentioned in the Hadith. You can refer to Jala' (Part No. 18; Page No. 103) Al-Afham fil-Salah wal-Salam `ala Khayr-il-Anam for Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim to know the Islamically acceptable wording of sending peace and blessings on the Prophet (peace be upon him) as related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) and other books. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.